We’re in the middle of the summer and it’s almost time for Bay District Schools students to go back to school.
In Bay County, the first day of school will be Aug. 10.
For more information about what your child may need, visit the Bay District Schools website, where you can find parental resources, the academic calendar, athletic schedules, school policies and school supply lists.
Bay District Schools are still trying to fill multiple positions on their staff. They are hiring multiple supportive positions including bus drivers and paraprofessionals. Individuals who wish to apply can do so here.
Thirty-seven more of Florida’s 67 counties also will start the 2026-2027 school year on the earliest possible date in the state, Monday, Aug. 10, with the others following shortly the same week.
It’s not the earliest start date in the United States.
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Generations familiar with schools starting after Labor Day may be shocked to know some school districts in the U.S. start even earlier than Florida.
Students in Jackson, Mississippi, will return to school July 29.
How early can Florida schools start the 2026-2027 school year?
The earliest start date for Florida schools is Aug. 10, according to Florida Statute 1001.42.
To get in the number of required days in the first semester and working around holidays, school districts plan to start the school year in early August.
In 2026, Aug. 10 falls on a Monday.
How many days of school are required in Florida?
Districts in Florida must have at least 180 school days for students.
Districts try to get roughly 90 instructional days in each semester and aim to finish the first semester before winter break, the St. Johns County School District said.
Why don’t Florida schools start closer to or after Labor Day?
“In order to meet the overwhelming response from the community to end the first semester before the winter holiday and to meet the Florida Statute requiring 67.5 hours per semester, the start date must occur close to the beginning of August,” the St. Johns County School District said.
“In addition, we need to align with local college schedules for students taking dual enrollment classes.”
When will summer vacation be over for Florida students?
Thirty-eight of Florida’s 67 counties, including Bay, will start the 2026-2027 school year on the earliest possible date, Monday, Aug. 10. The latest start date in Florida, for three counties, is Thursday, Aug. 13.
See breakdown by county on when the 2026-2027 Florida school year will start:
Special note: Links to school calendars often change. Here’s a state list of homepages for each Florida school district.
Why aren’t school calendars same for all Florida counties?
The decision on what days schools should be closed is made by individual school districts.
Florida school districts develop their academic calendars with input from a variety of sources, including staff, families and calendar committees.
The final decision is made by each county’s school board.
When will FAST testing be in Florida during 2026-2027 school year?
FAST testing during the 2026-2027 school year will be:
This story has been updated with new information.
Cheryl McCloud is a journalist for the USA TODAY Network-Florida’s service journalism Connect team. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://heraldtribune.com/newsletters.
DeonTay Smith contributed
This article originally appeared on The News Herald: When do Bay District Schools students start the 2026-27 year?
Reporting by Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / The News Herald
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By Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida | USA TODAY Network
